Reflections on IoW rally

I’ve just got back from the Isle of Wight Rally and I thought I’d share a few reflections:

1: Extremely well attended – felt as if numbers were well up on last few year’s, the ferry was packed and the Smallbrook site was heaving.

2: The Smallbrook site works really well – good facilities, good sounds, good bands and well positioned for the ferry terminal and Ryde town centre.

3: Great scooters – good mix of classic, custom, chops and autos – something for everyone – but not a lot of new creations. That said, the race track had as many amazing machines as the custom show – what is stopping people from putting their machines up for prize? Didn’t see many cars and campers.

4: The atmosphere was really healthy – I was in and out of Ryde and Smallbrook and didn’t witness a single bubble of trouble – just an enormous gathering of the scootering family all hell bent on enjoying themselves.

5: Good mix of ages – new riders coming through which is great for the future.

6: Expensive – the £30 weekend ticket was very good value – but on-site food and drinks were far from cheap. The town seemed to offer better quality, choice and value. The prices of old scooter frames, panels and parts seems to have gone nuts – I can’t see how renovation makes financial sense these days, which can only be bad for our long term future (perhaps the market will find a sensible level).

7: ‘It’s not the same’ – a commonly used phrase, my view of which is that it is what you make of it. There is nothing stopping anyone getting shit-faced, starting a fight with another club, attempting (and failing) to pull anything with a pulse – most of us just choose not to these days. The upshot is that, in many ways, the difference is positive. We’ll never be 18 again – but how much has the passing of time dulled the painful memories? (I certainly don’t miss having spots, living at home and being potless).

Finally – the weather definitely helped!!! Gary, Suffolk